Croydon High’s First Ever 10X Pop-up Trade Show

On Tuesday lunchtime, our main hall was transformed into a trade show as Year 10 pupils hustled for business and sold their products from their pop-up stalls.

This challenge, which is part of the Young Enterprise scheme, was launched by Mrs Serradilla, Head of Business and Economics, four weeks ago. Since then, every member of Year 10 has been busy researching and deciding on a product in which they should invest their £10.

In their groups, they then sourced their materials or products, prepared their sales pitches and planned and promoted their selling events. Tuesday’s trade show was a huge success with some beautiful and professional-looking stalls, with a wide range of impressive products and services available to order.

Congratulations to Crochains who were awarded Best Stall; the judges were impressed with their creativity and originality. This, however, was only one part of the Challenge; all groups will now prepare a presentation outlining their business plan, marketing strategy and sustainability. The five best groups will make it through to the Grand Final on Monday 6 November, with the eventual award winners going through to the national competition. At the end of the Challenge, pupils will decide how to spend their profit, with at least 10% going to charity. With tight deadlines and new skills to acquire, the pressure has been on, but the year group are certainly rising to the challenge; developing an enterprising mindset and learning key business skills. Many thanks to the judges, Kaine Patel and Neal Sumaria, who so kindly gave up their time to support the pupils and offer invaluable feedback.

We look forward to seeing them again at the final. And, of course, a huge thank you to Mrs Serradilla for being the inspiration behind this and the Year 10 tutors for their support.

Mrs Carmel Tooke
Head of Year 10
English & Latin Teacher